OP
OP
MurraysMutts
Well-known member
Tube fed twice a day since Thursday. Whew!
Light bulb time!!
Light bulb time!!
Bottle calf! Some say I'm crazy...
- Thread starter MurraysMutts
- Start date
puzzled in oregon
Well-known member
- Joined
- May 31, 2020
- Messages
- 1,386
Twisted
Well-known member
Was it the selenium?
OP
OP
MurraysMutts
Well-known member
Good question!
I'll try and find out exactly what she got. It was some sort of "Vitamin package" as couldn't find exactly what she was looking for.
He did get a dose of draxxin Saturday or Sunday. Droopy ears, head down a lot. But his temp was normal. (What's normal when you're kept in the A/C all day tho?)
It's really hard to say what did it. But shortly after all that he start nosing around the other calves and drinking more water.
He was actually nosing around the bigger heifer when he just happened to find a rubber teat!
I'll bet it was the blue toenails that caught his attention
OP
OP
MurraysMutts
Well-known member
It was one of the above mentioned OR the half a cup of sugar mixed in with the milk!
I'm thinking it was just a coincidence and it was finally time. He's been pretty weak from day one. After several days of tube feeding I think he finally found his energy. He got more and more fight in him every day.
I'm thinking it was just a coincidence and it was finally time. He's been pretty weak from day one. After several days of tube feeding I think he finally found his energy. He got more and more fight in him every day.
Last edited:
OP
OP
MurraysMutts
Well-known member
I got to babysit tonight....
He's taking 2 a day, but still seems a bit hollow. I think he's on track now! Nose is clear and breathing is good. No temperature.
He's taking 2 a day, but still seems a bit hollow. I think he's on track now! Nose is clear and breathing is good. No temperature.
OP
OP
MurraysMutts
Well-known member
My baby sure is allll grown up! Bred to PeeWee this go round.
OP
OP
MurraysMutts
Well-known member
Be along soon....
My sweet gurl!!
Super floppy
My sweet gurl!!
Super floppy
farmerjan
Well-known member
Bessie sure looks good in the background too....
OP
OP
MurraysMutts
Well-known member
And we have a heifer!!!
So glad she did it before the real crappy weather comes. Lil heifer has the same color nose as her mama. Tho I expect the calf to be near black eventually. We will see. I've been hoping for a heifer from Seven. Yep yep
So glad she did it before the real crappy weather comes. Lil heifer has the same color nose as her mama. Tho I expect the calf to be near black eventually. We will see. I've been hoping for a heifer from Seven. Yep yep
whisperingpinesnh
Well-known member
This is my bittle calf, Stella. I named her that specifically so that I can stand outside and yell, "Stellaaaahhhh". I got her in November at 2 weeks old. She's 398 lbs on the tape as of yesterday and way too tall. It isn't easy keeping a bottle calf through a NH winter, but she's doing pretty good. We're just about weaned now. She's got a helluva personality. I like her. I'm going to keep her for my family milker. She's my first experience with a bottle calf, and it's been interesting but I'd do it again. I'm not sure why she's so big, but she's as healthy as can be. Not fat, just big. I'm glad she's sweet. Hopefully she'll stay that way.But it keeps me from going insane...
Found this lil gal a while back. Turns out my biggest cow had twin heifers and she was left behind. She was very lucky to be found even. I was out on the 4wheeler and just stopped and shut it off. Let out a big moooooo like I sometimes do, and she popped up outta the tall grass. I thought who the heck are you?Mama wanted to name her Lucky.
We settled on naming her Seven
As you can she, she was pretty thin, but had obviously nursed at least once. Colostrum issue worried me, but we pressed on....
The regular milk really made the scours. She had issues getting in and out of her temporary accommodations. Lol
Moving along well tho.
Newest picture. Shes on feed now. About 5 or 6 pounds a day. Seems to be doing well.
I know it takes lots of time. Not so bad if you get things organized and establish a routine tho.
I plan on keeping this heifer just because I can. They really grow on you. The last 2 I've raised have all been sent off down the road for one reason or another.
Questions, comments, and especially other bottle calf stories are more than welcome. Pictures please!
Attachments
OP
OP
MurraysMutts
Well-known member
Hmmmm. Sevens 3rd calf.
And Seven as a baby.
I've a sneaky suspicion that 7-3 may look just like her mama! Time will tell. Seven had the same black tail switch as this heifer.
And Seven as a baby.
I've a sneaky suspicion that 7-3 may look just like her mama! Time will tell. Seven had the same black tail switch as this heifer.
OP
OP
MurraysMutts
Well-known member
Seven's lil heifer is growing very well I think. Her and PeeWee made a good calf.
OP
OP
MurraysMutts
Well-known member
Seven
Wait. That's not Sevens heifer.
What????
That's Bessies own heifer!
First time for everything around here.
Seven moved around to the other side and Bessies heifer went right to work on her mama.
Meanwhile, Sevens heifer standing by watching the whole thing.
Wait. That's not Sevens heifer.
What????
That's Bessies own heifer!
First time for everything around here.
Seven moved around to the other side and Bessies heifer went right to work on her mama.
Meanwhile, Sevens heifer standing by watching the whole thing.
Travlr
Well-known member
- Joined
- Feb 10, 2022
- Messages
- 8,981
- City & State/Province
- NW Arkansas, W South Dakota, retired in Utah
I gotta tell ya... you guys that name your animals kinda crack me up. I've had some with names... but not many. Usually they are "that Santa Gertrudis that liked to walk through the cattle guard", or the Limo sisters, or somesuch...Seven
Wait. That's not Sevens heifer.
What????
View attachment 55951
That's Bessies own heifer!
First time for everything around here.
View attachment 55952
Seven moved around to the other side and Bessies heifer went right to work on her mama.
View attachment 55953
Meanwhile, Sevens heifer standing by watching the whole thing.
View attachment 55954
****...... No not you Travlr. The name of one of my favorite cows. She bellows more than any cow I have ever owned. I think she just likes to here herself.
OP
OP
MurraysMutts
Well-known member
Yep!
These 4 are sure enough pets. Only ones I've managed to keep thru it all.
Dapples was just 203. But after her first year, she got a name.... none of the calves have names. If I can manage to/decide to keep her, Sevens may get a name. But she's gonna have to simmer down some.
LOL - ALL my cows - calves have names. I may not know them all, but most. Mostly, called by tattoo/eartag number. Ones we've shown generally are referred to by their name. Ask our kids (the family we sponsor - starting their 8th year), them probably know more names than Phil or I.
OP
OP
MurraysMutts
Well-known member
Seven's heifer is growing real well! I'm so glad I kept Seven. I almost sold her as a heifer. Sale barn vet ultrasounded her 45 days iirc. So she got to stay! She's been a great cow!
And look at the heifer she is raising!!
